It's all about second chances for the abandoned, abused or lost. We can open our hearts and homes to them and at the same time take one small step toward something more, an attitude of love that someday will make the world a better place.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Bailey

Of all the dogs we ‘fostered over the years, Bailey was my favorite. He wore gangly long legs that he seemed to take forever to grow into but when he did, what a beauty. He was a Hungarian Pointer with a taffy colored coat, a short tail (clipped) and the most expressive golden eyes you have ever seen. Bailey lived with us while his mom (our daughter) lived with us for a while and off and on when she was off seeking her fortune.

Soon enough though, he was by her side every minute he could. Hiking, biking, running with her, chasing frisbees or just stretched out in a sun spot on the rug, he embodied high energy but at the same time a sweetness that could take your breath away. Even though he failed his hunting test, he was a hunting dog through and through.

He was very smart and even when he had cats and other dogs to contend with he was the top dog. Having had multiple dogs, cats and horses by the time Bailey grew into his elderly years it was a major sadness when we knew his time was short, it didn’t make it easier. When he finally did come in from chasing rabbits and following every enticing scent he could, to lie down his last time we stayed with him...

After 14 years of high energy, this Frisbee loving Vizsla went over the rainbow bridge. Up until even a week earlier he was pushing his stiff old muscles to a-r-r-r-r and to jump in a raggedy kind of way. But two or three days ago there was a sudden drop in energy level, he couldn’t make it to the yard when he needed to.

Then yesterday he came by our house. We had the back door open and he just wandered in and laid down on the carpet to rest. We didn’t even know he was there until we almost stumbled over him. He looked up at me and then stood up unsteadily and headed for the door to go back home. I took him home. I walked with him the few hundred yards to his house. He moved very slowly, at a bit of an angle, lifted a leg off the ground and peed, kind of sideways. I told him it was OK. He didn’t need to be embarrassed. When we got to his house he took the easier steps up to the porch then found his way to his bed.

Some stories are sad stories. There is just no way to get around it. I was so sad to see him uncomfortable and in pain. He finally shifted his weight and was able to lie down. Later that night I got a call from my daughter. “Bailey’s not doing very well”, she said. I asked her what she was going to do and she said she guessed she would be calling her vet to come out. She had made arrangements a year ago to have the vet make a house call if and when it was necessary.

Bailey had suffered through several cancer operations and bravely lived with an angiosarcoma condition for a year, bleeding from skin lesions fairly often even while he chased rabbits and played. He hadn’t been quite as much of a bully with his younger sister Vizsla, Annie over the last few years. Annie is now ten, so is showing some age herself, along with the same cancer condition that Bailey has had. Only, being younger, she has stayed energetic. I feel sorry for her. She will miss him greatly.

So today, I spent the morning sitting with Bailey and his ‘people’. Jennifer and Miles both were home. T,he vet made arrangements to come out to the house, after changing her schedule at her office. I had planned to stay to be there but the vet ended up being late and I had to leave to go to a writing retreat.

While I was there we all told stories about our favorite memories of Bailey and his 14 wonderful years. It didn’t matter how much he grew or how long his legs were he would always climb into our laps. He was the best Frisbee catcher in the family, he even taught our dog Magic (Cocker Spaniel/Lab) how to play catch, he became a babysitter to my young niece’s daughter when they visited one Christmas, crawling on his belly and pushing his nose up to the edge of the baby blanket while she laid on the floor.

Bailey, I didn’t get to say this for you before I left but these are the words I give to you now.

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About Me

I am a poet, writer and photographer. I have always been involved in some form of artistic expression. I am now retired from the Presbyterian church where I was most involved with social issues and education. My husband and I have 6 grandchildren including 2 sets of twins. I volunteer for animal rescue groups and am interested in helping pet owners with grief and loss issues. I now live with my extended family on an urban horse farm in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.